European workers stage austerity protests (updated 11h15)

Workers across the European Union are staging a series of protests and strikes against rising unemployment and austerity measures. The Day of Action and Solidarity calls on leaders to address growing social anxiety and abandon austerity measures.  Some 40 groups from 23 countries are involved in Wednesday's protests. Strikes are expected in Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy, with other protests planned in Belgium, Germany, France the UK and some eastern EU states.

Wednesday's action, which may affect some transport links and services across the continent, has been urged by the European Trade Union Confederation. The Foreign Office said on its website: "Public transport within Spain and services at Spanish airports are likely to be significantly disrupted and public demonstrations in city centres may also affect local services on the 14 and 15 November."

Please see the following advisories from air

TAP Portugal has also issued a list of flights affected by the general strike and it can be found here: http://www.tapportugal.com/mediaRep/editors/Contentimages/INSTITUTIONAL/PDF/INFO/vooscancelados_grevegeral14nov2012f_en.pdf

The airline said that flights will be affect from today, November 13, to Thursday, November 15.

KLM has advised cancellations to flights from Madrid and Barcelona due to the strike. To see the full list of cancellations refer to: http://www.klm.com/travel/za_en/prepare_for_travel/up_to_date/flight_update/index.htm

Passengers booked on one of the above mentioned flights or on flights to, from or via Portugal on November 14 can voluntary rebook to an alternative flight not later than November 21.

Iberia has cancelled a number of flights on November 14, the list can be found here: http://www.iberia.com/OneToOne/v3/cargarDetalleEmergencias.do?IdEmergencyDetail=540908405&tabId=3

British Airways is offering passengers due to fly to Spain on November 14 a free flight change for travel up to November 28.

The airline has advised that a number of British Airways services have now been cancelled, see the full list here:  http://www.speedbirdclub.com/za/all-news/news/twelve/novtwelve/strikesupdate/

Meanwhile, Eurostar said its services to/from Brussels are disrupted and passengers should avoid this route. The company is urging passengers to check its website www.eurostar.com  for further updates.

Due to industrial actions which are announced from Tuesday 13/11/2012, 10 pm until Wednesday 14/11/2012, 10 pm, train traffic can be disturbed.

Belgian Railways (SNCB) has warned that travel may be disrupted and the company has urged passengers to regularly check the timetables  on www.sncb.be, m.sncb.be or the SNCB app.

Trenitalia has advised that on days where there are strikes that it can only guarantee minimum transport services as per agreements with trade unions and as considered appropriate by the commission responsible for guaranteeing the implementation of Law 146/1990.

For local transport in particular, essential services have been planned for the peak time-bands (from 06:00 to 09:00 and from 18:00 to 21:00 Mon-Sat). Some long-distance trains are also guaranteed on all days including holidays.

If trains that are travelling when a strike begins are not cancelled at their departure station, they will normally reach their final destination – provided those stations can be reached within one hour from the strike’s beginning. After this one hour, trains may stop and terminate at stations before the train’s final destination.

In addition to the essential services, Trenitalia can provide additional services, on which information is given by notices at railway stations, the media and on this website.

Since unpredictable changes (e.g. change of route for long-distance trains) could also occur during a strike, customers are kindly requested to pay special attention to the notices given at the stations and by the media.